Poultry Diseases Influenced by Gastrointestinal Health: Traditional Treatments and Innovative Solutions

It is well known that colonization of the intestine with cemmensal bacteria is related to protection of the intestine against pathogens, increased body weight and improved feed efficiency. The opposite situation, a delayed intestinal colonization or sudden changes in an established intestinal microflora, are often related with diarrhoea, poor nutrient absorption and increased susceptibility to a vairiety of diseases. In this book poultry diseases that are directly related to the gastrointestinal tract, as well as diseases that are not in direct connection, but that could be partially influenced by the intestinal health, are covered. In addition, the impact of human pathogens harboured by poultry is also discussed. As a background to understand the covered topics, basic insights in poultry anatomy, physiology and immunology are given. The book also contains pictures that aid in the description of poultry anatomy, digestive physiology and poultry diseases.